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Hi All;

Made a lot of progress today.....
1. Tested each Track Block (4 per loop) with a volt meter by:
     A. Set all the TIU Variable Channels to 22V,
     B. Powered down each Track Block at the ZW connected to the Track Block,
     C. Powered up each Track Block one at a time at the ZW connected to that Track Block,
     D. When one Track Block was powered up, power was confirmed with the voltmeter,
     E. Track Blocks on either side of the powered Track Block were checked for power. No power
         was shown on Track Blocks on either side of the active/powered Track Block.
     F. This process was repeated all around the layout. For example; the loops consist of Track Blocks A,
         B, C and D. Track Blocks B and D were checked for power when A was powered up, C and A were 
         where checked when B was powered up, etc.
     G. Bottom line, no "voltage leaks" were found in any Track Blocks adjacent to the powered Track
          Block. I did notice that when a lighted passeger car (that has two pickup rollers) was used to
          check if a Track Block was active, there was "voltage leak" to a unpowered Track Block, but only
          when the car straddled an insulation point; where one pickup roller was on a powered Track Block
          and the other pickup roller was on an unpowered Track Block. 

          I know this because I was also checking the voltmeters on my Control Panel. I would see voltage
          appear on a ZW for an adjacent Track Block that was powered off (see pics below):

          This pic shows a lighted passenger car on the powered Track Block which is to the Left of the Blue
          tape marker where the insulated pin is. The 2nd voltmeter shows 15 volts. The passenger car to
          the Right of the Blue tape is not lit because that Track Block (the top voltmeter) has zero power
          to it......
20170714_120200

        This next pic has the passenger car straddling the insulated pin. As you can see the car now lights
        up, and the cars to the Right of the insulated pin are also lighted! Notice the top voltmeter; it now
        shows there is power going to the Track Block to the Right of the insulated pin; which had no power
        going to it earlier and shouldn't!
20170714_120224

2. Received and installed the "magic lights". Yes.....they made quite a difference! I still get "OUT OF RF RANGE", but very briefly. Track Signal is mostly 9 - 10. I need to research those few areas of the track that get "OUT OF RF RANGE". It appears one area is over a group of switches. Another area is through
the Lionel Lift Bridges.

3. I added two engines; one on each loop. I am now able to control each one separately without interference or confusion!

Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU ALL who took the time to help me out and get my layout more stable than its ever been!!

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  • 20170714_120200
  • 20170714_120224

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